Gangotri

Gangotri, a city in Uttarakhand at a height of 11200 ft above sea level, is usually known to be one of the most sacred places in Uttarakhand where one can reside in tranquillity within its astounding natural beauty. As the main tourist places in Gangotri are temples and trekking paths, the city is almost always full of thousands of pilgrims and trekkers from every

part of the whole world. If you want solitude and peace of mind, there might not be a better place than Gangotri Uttarakhand with its calm aura, spirituality in the air, and breathtaking beauty ready to immerse you in an experience of a lifetime.

Gangotri Overview

Best Time to Visit Gangotri

Even though the weather in Gangotri is frigid virtually the entire year, the best time to visit Gangotri is between April and June and between September and October. Gangotri weather in summer is warm here, making it the perfect time to visit the Gangotri shrine. Travelling can be a little challenging during the monsoon season because of the severe rainfall. Here, the winters are brutal, with heavy snowfall making the climate unbearably frigid and Gangotri temperature falls below what you would imagine.

How to Reach the Places to Visit in Gangotri

If you are opting for the airway, the airport which is the nearest to this town is Jolly Grant International Airport in Dehradun. From Dehradun, the airport is 24kms away and 226 km, from the city. Taxis and private cars are easily available for rent. There is also the option for road transport buses from the airport to reach Gangotri through Rishikesh.

If you want to travel by Railway, Rishikesh about 249kms away is the nearest railway station here. From the station, there is good connectivity with Delhi as well as Dehradun.

 By Road, you can easily reach Gangotri place travelling via Rishikesh.

What are the Things to See and Do in Gangotri?

There are loads of tourist places in Gangotri if you are up for it. Famous for its serene natural beauty, you can also do an 18km trek here in 2 days to Gaumukh. Many people travel from all over the world to experience Gangotri trekking because it is so well-known. If longer treks are your jam you can go on a 46km trek route also to Gaumukh Tapovan which will takes 6-8days to complete. If you want a dreamlike experience trekking through the thick forest of alpine trees, varieties of wildflowers, and gorgeous streams over the mountains of Garhwal, you should opt for Auden's Col Trek. For a very high-altitude lake trek, the Kedarnath Patangini trek is an excellent choice.

Places to Visit in Gangotri

Gangotri place is also famous for being one of the four Char Dham Sites of Uttarakhand. The city stands with the spiritual richness of the goddess Ganga. Along with the presence of the snow-capped mountains and the mystic flow of the river Ganges and the city offers the ultimate awakening of mind and body to the devotees that come to visit and there are several tourist sites in the city.

Gangotri Temple

This is most likely the main reason why visitors choose to visit this town in the first position. It was constructed in the 18th century by General Amar Singh Thapa as a memorial to Goddess Ganga. The temple, which was constructed with marble, draws close to 2.5 lakh visitors a year. During the Akshaya Tritiya Festival in the month of May, the temple opens, and by October, it closes for the winter.

Restaurants in Gangotri

The local cuisine of this town is straightforward. Very elaborate cooking methods such as the use of charcoal and ghee are frequent here which slowly brings a cocktail of flavours out from the local herbs and spices which make the food highly nutritious. The local dishes here are also cooked using lentils and pulses. Kafuli, Badi, Phannu, Arsa, Rus, Gulgula, and Palau are some of the local preparations with which the cuisine of this town is defined. There are also some restaurants like:

Cafe Himalaya

Cafe Himalaya is a beautiful little Bistro-style Cafe that serves fresh and good food. They have a garden ambience which brings a quite peaceful vibe of nature while dining there. They promote environmentally friendly practices in their cafe. You can get traditional dishes as well as modern world cuisine.

Saket Cafe

Saket Cafe is a very famous cafe which is established just on the route to this city. A broad variety of affordable North Indian, as well as South Indian cuisines, are available here. This place has an astonishingly beautiful balcony view while dining. The food here holds a special hint of Local Garhwali recipes which is worth trying. This cafe is famous for its paratha with chutney. You can also have tandoor or laccha Paratha along with a lot of vegetable choices.

Adventures in Gangotri

For tourists seeking tranquillity and comfort in their origins or for vacationers who love nature and outdoor life, the places in Gangotri are like paradise. Meanwhile, the Himalayan Garhwal Range is a very popular location for river rafting, mountain climbing, and skiing. Discover some of the biggest attractions to explore in this town by reading on.

Nelong Valley Hike

The Nelong Valley is a distinctive, unexplored valley that lies on the boundary between India and Tibet. Trekkers and tourists gather here all year long since it used to be a crucial commerce road but has since been left undeveloped. Landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau are provided by the almost desert-like, chilly topography of the region. Snow leopards, blue sheep, and musk deer reside there. It is positioned at a stunning 11,000 feet above sea level and is accessible through an 8-kilometre hike from Gangotri Shrine.

The Kedartal Trek

It is among the most famous trekking routes in Uttarakhand and is a 17-kilometre walk from this town. The optimum time to do this is from May to November when one can take in the natural scenery and the climate is generally agreeable. It is suggested for those who have some prior trekking expertise due to its moderate difficulty. At a staggering 4291 meters above sea level and flanked by the Himalayan peaks on all sides, this glacier lake is really a sight to behold.

The Gaumukh Trek

The fabled Ganga River is thought to have its main source in this region. It is a well-liked trekking and pilgrimage location. The 19-kilometre hike to Gomukh or Gaumukh begins in this town and is very rewarding. This glacier, which is approximately 4 kilometres wide and 13,200 feet above sea level, is also the second largest in all of India.

Sports Adventures in Gangotri

In this town, you can go on treks, go mountaineering, visit national parks, go river rafting, go skiing, go rock climbing, and so on. With all these outdoor activities available, tourists and nature enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice. Due to the harsh winter, the bulk of these is seasonal. These thrilling adventure sports are provided all year long by public and private organizations.

Trek to Nandanvan and Tapovan

Nandanvan and Tapovan and which are 23 and 27 kilometres, respectively, from this town, are both lovely meadows set against the majestic Himalayan Mountain ranges. Both locations lead travellers through challenging yet rewarding terrain and are a trekker's heaven. Please be aware that the trail in Nandanvan is tough even for veteran trekkers and must only be tackled with an expert guide.

Places to Stay in Gangotri

This town is situated at 11200 ft above sea level in the mountains so the weather there is extreme at different times of the year. The city itself is composed of only around 600 people and thus it becomes difficult to find places in Gangotri for a stay. So, it is important to find accommodation with appropriate measures for a comfortable stay. Some of the hotels here are:

Harsil Cottages

This property is situated in Harsil on the way to this town. They have double bedrooms with Wi-Fi, a garden, a bonfire, and caretaker services.

Royal Hillcrest Homestay Baghori

This property is a beautiful homestay situated in Harsil village which is popular for its breathtaking balcony view. The availability of wifi services, picturesque gardens, and local cuisine are also there.

Mountain Village Stay

This accommodation option is situated in Dharali Harsil village. This place provides single bedrooms, a balcony view, and local cuisine.

Shivalik Kitchen Homestay

This homestay is situated in Dharali. This homestay provides double bedrooms, parking services, Asian breakfast, cable services, etc.

Food to Try in Places to Visit in Gangotri

Phaasu Mixture

It's similar to a pancake, this dish. Gahat and riki, among other types of lentils, are used to make them. The beans are soaked for a minimum of four to five hours in warm water. The meal is made up of two components: the actual pancake and the gravy that is served beside it. Both the gravy preparation and the making of the pancakes require the lentil paste. The gravy is vivid and unique because of the use of natural butter, regional spices, and tomatoes. It is incredibly well-liked by all the tourists.

Special Booster

In this tourist destination, this cuisine is another that is renowned for both its flavour and for boosting vitality. Potatoes and mountain radishes are the dish's basic ingredients. Both are crushed and heated. They are then fried with a few raw spices, including cumin, garlic, and coriander. With the flavour of the natural spices and garlic, the result is delectable. According to legend, the dish significantly improves blood circulation at absolute zero degrees.

Black Magic

This dish is made with black grains and lentils. On an improvised stove, they roast these grains before grinding them with a stone. thereafter, spices are added to the prepared ground mixture, and it is then cooked. This meal is consumed with different regional veggies and heavy gravy. It is so well-liked that large hotels, as well as roadside dhabas, serve it. Additionally, this dish is used in many urban and rural locations.

Things to Buy in the Places to Visit in Gangotri

Even if this town is not the ideal destination for shoppers, a visit to this holy site won't let you down when it comes to shopping. Near the temple, there are a number of tiny stores and booths where you may purchase a variety of religious goods such as stunning statues of different Goddesses and Gods puja thalis, handmade items, etc.

But when one does arrive at that fresh frontier, there are ways better than others to begin your journey of discovery. Follow these steps and see the world with a new light.

• Discover a new city through a food tour. Food tour's are the easiest way to take a tour, learn about the local delicacies, and the best of all, get great tips that aren't just "local" tips for tourists, but sometimes, lessons for a lifetime too
• Use Public Transportation. When you are in a new city, you can possibly see places and people that you wouldn't normally see when simply walking to the places that checks your list. Some buses or rails take you to parts of the city you wouldn't get to see otherwise. Whilst using public transportation, just ensure that you are following the local norms and do remember to watch the locals!
• Find a local festival. Go beyond what other tourists might do while visiting a place. Look for the unique things you would want to do. Use social media or the local tourism website to find out what's going on locally. You may have to move out of the center of the city to do some of the less popular but more unique things, so just keep that in mind!

Conclusion

The overall natural beauty, spiritual ambience, and adventurous mountains around this town make this place very exquisite. Being one of the Char dhams, it is almost a must-visit place for every devotee out there. Other than the season of monsoon, the temple as well as Gaumukh is open in the tourist season from May to November. If you are someone who can handle chilly weather and loves going on adventures, make sure to visit during November as it is the best time to visit Gangotri. We, here at Make My Trip ensure you that we will try our best and provide you with the best experience.